Health march support

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 13, Issue 602, 5 September 1995, Page 4

Health march support

• As outsiders with a special interest in health care in Wanganui may we make a few points about the health march in the city and its supporting petition. How easy it is for those of us in good health to forget the plight of the numbers of people who are suffering, some dying, needlessly as they wait for their special health needs to be met. Think of their pain and anguish as they wait and of their families' anguish too. How easy it is for those of us who have been in hospital recently to say "I have no problems with the health system. I've just had wonderful care in hospital". Exactly, but at whose expense? Ask any hospital worker, from kitchen staff to consultants for the real answer to that question. How easy it is for those of us who are lucky enough to have medical insurance to say "I'm okay. My future health care will be taken care of." Think of all those people for whom insurance of any kind is an unattainable ideal. Thanks to the people who supported the march. To the thousands who didn't we urge you to think again about health care for everyone in New Zealand. Support Good Health Wanganui, for that is what the march was about. Support the petition and stop the slide towards privatisation and in the next two or three months support Mandy Russel and Chris Cresswell on their planned walk from Hokianga to Parliament with the petition, following Dame Whina Cooper's visionary footsteps in your interests. Support the hokoi for health!

Beverley

and

Peter

Cresswell.